Nino Niederreiter's camp has requested a trade from the New York Islanders, a source told ESPNNewYork.com.

The former first-round pick (5th overall, 2010) is unhappy with his current situation, the source said, and feels he would be best served playing somewhere other than with the Islanders organization.

Ha.

Niederreiter had a disappointing rookie year but has rebounded during the lockout with the Islanders' AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers to lead them in scoring. That said, he still has some grooming to do. (The player selected just before him in the 2010 NHL Draft, Tampa Bay Lightning's Brett Connolly, is also spending this season in the AHL after an uneven rookie season in the NHL.)

Every once in a while you hear rumblings that Niederreiter is frustrated with this or that about his handling, but whether he realizes it or not he's a 20-year-old with raw skills and in need of some polishing. His injury- and fourth-line rattled rookie season was unfortunate for both parties, but one hopes he realizes his struggles weren't simply because of how he was used; it was also because he clearly wasn't as ready to be used as the Isles hoped and Niederreiter would prefer.